Left a bit, Right a bit: Fair!

Or: why the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street can both embrace Fair Trade.

Everyone knows “the Golden Rule” – you probably learnt it at Elementary School: Treat others as you would have them treat you.Fair Trade is the Golden Rule applied to commerce – something we should all be able to embrace, whatever our political persuasion.

Yet there seems to be a common misconception in the US about Fair Trade: that it’s something only liberals and “progressives” can love.

But there are plenty of reasons why conservatives can love Fair Trade too.

Fair Trade promotes economic independence and responsibility. It’s not about charity and hand-outs. It offers a “hand up” to hardworking farmers and producers to work their way out of extreme poverty, by providing an entry to markets they are otherwise unable to access. Any conservative surely approves the notion of a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work – this is what Fair Trade seeks to provide.

Concerned about American jobs going overseas to low-paid workforces? Applying the principles of Fair Trade (fair pay, safe working conditions, no forced child labor etc) to all industries would even the playing field, making it less economically attractive to US companies to outsource abroad.

Immigration concerns? Most people around the world actually don’t want to leave their own countries and their communities. If they are paid properly for the work they do at home, they don’t feel driven to seek opportunities elsewhere (legally or otherwise). A coffee community in Nicaragua, asked about the greatest benefits of Fair Trade, answered: “Our men don’t leave.”

Still on the fence about Fair Trade? Come and find answers to your questions TONIGHT (Tues Oct 18), 7-8pm. Fair Trade Bethlehem NY is hosting two guests at the Loving Cafe, 318 Delaware Ave, Delmar. Maria Isabel Balbuena is a Fair Trade coffee grower from the Dominican Republic and she’ll give insights into the producer’s side of the Fair Trade equation. Billy Linstead Goldsmith is national coordinator of Fair Trade Towns USA and will be pleased to answer your FT queries.